BIOS FLASHING <--- Is It Necessary??? Is It Dangerous???

[GundamF91]

I keep seeing people saying they've had problems after flashing a new Bios, or worse, having the entire system die on them.

I'm just wondering if flashing BIOS is necessary at all. I have the EPox 8K7A 1.0rev board, with default BIOS. It's running perfectly fine right now, but I wonder if it's useful to flash it when a new BIOS comes out (an official one from Epox, not just some net versions).

Anyone know what can cause a bad BIOS flash? Or is it just a risk we'll have to take?? Thanks.

 

[WyteWatt]

Yep i am wondering too.
Is it good to do a BIOS flash when you upgrade your hardware or when is it nessary to do ? like when you having the sound blaster live sound card issue ?

curious also
thanks

 

[GundamF91]

What's your spec? I have the SBLive! X-Gamer, no problems whatsoever with VIA southbridge.

 

[roc]

I would say that its good. If you happen to get a bad file (or corrupt download) thats when things go wrong. If the BIOS update addresses issues you are currently having with the motherboard or perhaps increases performance then thats something that can't be beat. Just as a precaution I usually download the file while not doing anything else (its just a superstition I don't think it actually has any bearing on anything other than my piece of mind ). Anyhow, I don't think forgoing a BIOS update is a major undertaking and is relativly simple.


Best Regards,
roc

 

[DoubleL]

No you don't need to update the bios if your computer is running fine, You upgrade when you are having problems or they come out with a fix for some type of part or newer part, You can upgrade the bios 100's of times without a problem but one day something is going to go wrong, Not maybe, Something is going to go wrong and you better have another computer as a back up, I know I have done it so many times that I was really surprised when a Asus A7V that ran great died on a bios update, It is a risk you take and most the times the update never helps if you have a newer board, That is just me, But it makes you sick when you screw up a great running computer just to have the newest bios

 

[DaveNCheez]

Yes its a good thing, no its not really dangerous....

Bad Bios flashes are caused by power going out durring the flah and stuff like that..

long as the power stays on, you should be ok....

it can really improve performance/give new features

Dave

 

[HansXP]

It's not usually dangerous as long as you make sure you have the right BIOS file and know how to execute it. Also, make sure you either have a UPS, or you aren't flashing when the power might go out (storms, etc)

As far as necessity: if your system is working fine, don't change anything. You probably won't gain anything. My policy has always been to flash to the latest BIOS whenever I format, because then I can troubleshoot as much as I want without having to worry about lost files, etc.

 

[bevo]

No big deal. I've done it hundreds of times. Just follow instructions, have a boot disk with the bios file on it, save the old bios, and like dave says, never turn the power off if you have a bad flash...

 

[SergeantDan]

THERE IS A REALLY GREAT SAYING THAT IS OLDER THAN IBM. &quot;IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT.&quot;
OF COURSE THEN THERE IS THE OC'R. WE BRAKE ALL THE RULES. AND MURPHY HAS SHED LIGHT ON ME MORE THAN ONCE.

 

[conlan]

Up until last week i had no probs flashing BIOSes, then i got ahold of a bad file and BOOM, fried BIOS chip. I will still update my BIOSes, but now i'll wait till the betas have been out awhile instaed of loading them right away and make sure i get my Image files from reputable sites, preferrably the mobo manufacturer. BTW- if you have a bad experience give Badflash.com a shot, their service is excellent.

SgtDan...... Please dont yell, i have a headache already :disgust:
There is another old saying... If it aint broke, Tweak it!